Lagos State has been admitted as the sixth member of the Odu’a Group.

The decision was taken at the end of a meeting of the Governors of Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Ekiti states held in Ibadan on Tuesday. It effectively ended four years of debate amongst the previous five owner states over whether Lagos State should be admitted into the group.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode welcomed the development with joy and enthusiasm, describing it as a major landmark in the effort of the South-West states of Nigeria towards regional integration.

Ayorinde stated that Ambode believes strongly that the drive towards regional integration in the South-West of Nigeria could not be effectively pursued if all the states in the region failed to combine their resources, work together and maximise their comparative advantages in order to build a strong regional infrastructural and social links amongst the states.

The statement further said that Governor Ambode fervently believes that Lagos joining the Odu’a Group is a priority for his administration because with its huge population, vibrant economic base and being the centre of economic and business activities in Nigeria, Lagos is uniquely placed to contribute to the development and growth of the Odu’a Investment Company Limited (OIC), the investment arm of the group, as well as the integration of South-West in general.

It said the Governor expressed his gratitude to the group for the decision and looks forward to his government working with those of other states in the group towards the improvement and development of South-West of Nigeria and its people.

•Photo shows Governor Ambode.